The Valley Of Hope And Fear

Kashmir is not just a territory but also people with feelings, aspirations and concerns. To gauge the mood of the Valley, INDIA TODAY spoke to a wide cross-section of individuals. Here’s what they had to say

- Raj Chengappa

“For us, everything is an unknown. We need clarity

When Kashmiris want to curse someone, they say “Pae Traeth” (May lightning strike you). Sanna Masood, a 38-year-old Srinagar-based entrepreneur, jokes that the heavens are upset with her, for whatever she set out to do in the past decade has taken a hit. In 2014, her home was washed away in the mighty floods that hit Srinagar and she had to wear clothes donated by someone from Chennai. Her voice chokes as she recalls how she had always given to others and how she swallowed her pride to receive help, but she is grateful for it. The floods engulfed her first major farm venture too, leaving her in serious debt.